By ELLEN BROWN

Staff Writer

GATLINBURG — Gatlinburg kicked off its Winterfest celebration Wednesday on the Parkway downtown with plenty of chili, soulful music and the lighting of a decked-out Christmas tree with colorful elves.

“This is the first time we’ve ever closed the Parkway for the chili cookoff,” said George Hawkins, special events manager. “Not only do the tourists enjoy it, but the locals love it.”

Hawkins said the 21 chili vendors were required to prepare at least 50 ounces of chili — although some prepared as much as 80 ounces.

Dixie Stampede employees couldn’t wait to serve up their “Ring of Fire” chili, named after the attraction’s signature event.

“We’ve used our chicken and chicken seasoning, but we have never served the actual chili before,” said Scott Ogle, Dixie Stampede head chef. “This is our first time at this event, but we’re going to blow people’s socks off.”

The crowd also enjoyed music by The Marvelettes (“Please Mr. Postman,” “Too Many Fish in the Sea”) and Knoxville band Soulfinger, as well as the lighting of an elaborate musical tree at Ripley’s Aquarium. Hawkins said that on the hour, every hour for the next six months, the tree will light up and play music. Musical elves were on hand for the first tree lighting, led by “Buttercup” and “Peniroo,” characters in a not-yet-published book by theater director and writer James Fisher.

Hawkins approached Fisher and his partner, costume designer De Wayne Kirchner, about breaking away from the traditional Victorian Christmas characters and doing something totally different for Winterfest. Hawkins was impressed with Fisher’s imaginative characters, and Kirchner, a former costume designer for Dollywood, had created the clothes for Franklin Roosevelt’s presidential motorcade re-enactment in the Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July Parade.

“Everyone is so excited to do this,” Kirchner said. “Christmas is all about kids.”

Numerous vendors had other treats to offer patrons, such as M&M Mars from Cleveland with free candy samples and Walgreens with its “Sanitation Station.”

“When George came to us and asked us to be involved, I came up with the idea to have hand sanitizers for people to use before they ate their chili,” said Scot Stinnett, manager of the new Gatlinburg Walgreens that opened Oct. 2 on the Parkway. “He really liked the idea since the H1N1 flu is on the rise. He wants to do it for other events coming up.”

Stinnett also offered antacids for patrons after they finished off their chili.

Dan and Rachel England of Williamsburg, Va. visited the area this time last year but had to leave before the chili cookoff. This year they’re ready to take advantage of the festivities with sons Trey, nearly 3, and Lex, 7 months.

“We love this time of the year up here, with the leaves changing,” Dan said. “We love the mountains.”

ebrown@themountainpress.com